Supplier Diversity FAQs

How does Air Products define a diverse supplier?

For United States based activities, see the Supplier Qualifications link for definitional information by the classifications which we currently monitor.

What criteria does Air Products use when selecting a supplier?

Air Products uses the same criteria for diverse suppliers as it does with its major suppliers. We look for suppliers that have the basic capabilities to offer competitive pricing, high quality products and services, and assurance of excellent customer service.

What if my company is not a diverse supplier?

Air Products does business with all suppliers and we encourage all suppliers to contact us with any inquiries for business opportunity. If you are not a certified diverse supplier, you should determine your company’s status by reviewing the guidelines set by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and/or the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

How can I learn about potential procurement opportunities at Air Products?

We recommend your company review the What We Buy page on a regular basis to see if an opportunity exists, then send an e-mail inquiry. Air Products seeks suppliers who provide a value-added product or service.

What are the next steps with Air Products regarding any potential procurement opportunity?

We will work with commodity managers to identify upcoming opportunities and screen identified diverse suppliers to see if a match exists with the supplier’s capabilities and the procurement opportunity. If a match occurs, the supplier will be contacted to further discuss the opportunity, supplier’s capabilities, and business requirement.

Why should I obtain Small Business Adminstration certification or Self certify when my company is already certified by a recognized agency?

Air Products is a Prime contractor and subcontractor for the U.S. Federal Government. We have a requirement to report annually our spend with diverse suppliers. The only spend Air Products can claim on our reports is from businesses that have been certified to the Federal government standards. State, local and organizational certifications may be valid to a specific set of standards, but we must have certification to the Federal guidelines to meet our program requirements.

Does certification ensure that my company will be able to do business with Air Products?

No, certification doesn’t guarantee that your company or any other company will obtain Air Products' business. The main criterion is whether Air Products has a need or requirement for your product and/or service. If opportunities exist, they will be considered as part of Air Products supply chain processes.

What is SAM and SUB-NET?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. government. SAM consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is NO cost to use SAM. Register to do business with the U.S. government for free directly from this site. Find free help with your SAM registration on our HELP tab, including user guides, videos, and FAQs. How will SAM benefit me? The overarching benefits of SAM include streamlined and integrated processes, elimination of data redundancies, and reduced costs while providing improved capability. Users of SAM include contracting officials, grant-makers, contractors, and the public. Those required to register in SAM include:

Vendors: Those doing business with the federal government "will be able to log in to one system to manage their entity information in one record, with one expiration date, through one streamlined business process. Federal agencies will be able to look in one place for entity pre-award information. Everyone will have fewer passwords to remember and see the benefits of data reuse as information is entered into SAM once and reused throughout the system.”

Grant-seekers and grantees: "Active SAM registration is a pre-requisite to the successful submission of grant application

SUB-Net, an extension of PRO-Net, is primarily for prime contractors to post subcontracting opportunities. These opportunities may or may not be reserved for small businesses. They may include solicitations or other notices, such as a search for "teaming" partners and/or subcontractors for future contracts. The SUB-Net site enables small businesses to use their limited resources to identify and bid on concrete, tangible opportunities. While the web site is designed primarily as a place for large businesses to post solicitations and notices, federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and small businesses can also use it for the same purpose. You can access SUB-Net through the PRO-Net home page by choosing the "Subcontracting Opportunities" button. Or, you can go directly to SUB-Net at http://web.sba.gov/subnet/.

Will anyone outside of Air Products have access to my business information?

The information Air Products receives is considered confidential and only Air Products people will have access to it. Air Products will not sell or share your information with external sources or companies.

Whom do I contact at Air Products Supplier Diversity for more information?

How can I learn more information about diverse businesses?

How does Air Products define a diverse supplier?

For United States based activities, see the Supplier Qualifications link for definitional information by the classifications which we currently monitor.

What criteria does Air Products use when selecting a supplier?

Air Products uses the same criteria for diverse suppliers as it does with its major suppliers. We look for suppliers that have the basic capabilities to offer competitive pricing, high quality products and services, and assurance of excellent customer service.

What if my company is not a diverse supplier?

Air Products does business with all suppliers and we encourage all suppliers to contact us with any inquiries for business opportunity. If you are not a certified diverse supplier, you should determine your company’s status by reviewing the guidelines set by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and/or the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

How can I learn about potential procurement opportunities at Air Products?

We recommend your company review the What We Buy page on a regular basis to see if an opportunity exists, then send an e-mail inquiry. Air Products seeks suppliers who provide a value-added product or service.

What are the next steps with Air Products regarding any potential procurement opportunity?

We will work with commodity managers to identify upcoming opportunities and screen identified diverse suppliers to see if a match exists with the supplier’s capabilities and the procurement opportunity. If a match occurs, the supplier will be contacted to further discuss the opportunity, supplier’s capabilities, and business requirement.

Why should I obtain Small Business Adminstration certification or Self certify when my company is already certified by a recognized agency?

Air Products is a Prime contractor and subcontractor for the U.S. Federal Government. We have a requirement to report annually our spend with diverse suppliers. The only spend Air Products can claim on our reports is from businesses that have been certified to the Federal government standards. State, local and organizational certifications may be valid to a specific set of standards, but we must have certification to the Federal guidelines to meet our program requirements.

Does certification ensure that my company will be able to do business with Air Products?

No, certification doesn’t guarantee that your company or any other company will obtain Air Products' business. The main criterion is whether Air Products has a need or requirement for your product and/or service. If opportunities exist, they will be considered as part of Air Products supply chain processes.

What is SAM and SUB-NET?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. government. SAM consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is NO cost to use SAM. Register to do business with the U.S. government for free directly from this site. Find free help with your SAM registration on our HELP tab, including user guides, videos, and FAQs. How will SAM benefit me? The overarching benefits of SAM include streamlined and integrated processes, elimination of data redundancies, and reduced costs while providing improved capability. Users of SAM include contracting officials, grant-makers, contractors, and the public. Those required to register in SAM include:

Vendors: Those doing business with the federal government "will be able to log in to one system to manage their entity information in one record, with one expiration date, through one streamlined business process. Federal agencies will be able to look in one place for entity pre-award information. Everyone will have fewer passwords to remember and see the benefits of data reuse as information is entered into SAM once and reused throughout the system.”

Grant-seekers and grantees: "Active SAM registration is a pre-requisite to the successful submission of grant application

SUB-Net, an extension of PRO-Net, is primarily for prime contractors to post subcontracting opportunities. These opportunities may or may not be reserved for small businesses. They may include solicitations or other notices, such as a search for "teaming" partners and/or subcontractors for future contracts. The SUB-Net site enables small businesses to use their limited resources to identify and bid on concrete, tangible opportunities. While the web site is designed primarily as a place for large businesses to post solicitations and notices, federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and small businesses can also use it for the same purpose. You can access SUB-Net through the PRO-Net home page by choosing the "Subcontracting Opportunities" button. Or, you can go directly to SUB-Net at http://web.sba.gov/subnet/.

Will anyone outside of Air Products have access to my business information?

The information Air Products receives is considered confidential and only Air Products people will have access to it. Air Products will not sell or share your information with external sources or companies.

Whom do I contact at Air Products Supplier Diversity for more information?

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